The HOS Riverbend is the fourth in a series of four HOSMAX 300 Offshore Support Vessels ordered from Eastern. The first, HOS Red Dawn, was delivered in June. The second, HOS Red Rock, was launched in April and the third, HOS Renaissance, in June. Both the HOS Red Rock and HOS Renaissance are currently at Eastern completing final outfitting, regulatory and DP-2 trials. Delivery of the HOS Red Rock is scheduled for September 2013.

In addition to the HOSMAX 300 vessels, Eastern is also building six somewhat larger HOSMAX 310 vessels for HOS. Additionally, HOS has contracted with Eastern for two HOSMAX 310ES Multi-Purpose Supply Vessels (MPSV’s) with accommodations for 73 persons, a 250 MT subsea crane, moon pool, helideck and two ROV/LARS units.

The HOSMAX 300 series are diesel-electric powered, twin Z-drive vessels with four Caterpillar 3516C 16-cylinder turbo-charged Tier III diesel generator engines each rated at 1,825 kW at 1,800 rpm. Main propulsion power is provided by two GE Energy furnished Hyundai 2,500 kW 690VAC electric motors driving two Schottel SRP 2020 FP Z-drives with nozzles, rated at 2,500 kW at 1,025 rpm each for a total of 6,704 Hp. Schottel also provides two STT 4 fixed pitch tunnel thrusters rated at 1,180 kW at 1,170 rpm, each with direct coupled Hyundai 690VAC electric motors.

GE Energy Power Conversions provides the complete system integrated diesel electric package, including the propulsion and thruster drives, motors, control systems, DP system, switchboards, motor control centers, automation and navigation/ communication electronics. These vessels are capable of a maximum speed of 14 knots with a cruising speed of 12 knots. The fully integrated bridge is arranged for increased visibility and features the latest technology in navigation, communication equipment.